Grande Granite Round: Stage 2
4040 Linz
"Across the North Cape and intermediate river ridges to the Bohemian Forest roof"
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Multi-stage route
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Cultural/historical value
- Geological highlights
- Botanical highlights
- Faunistic highlights
From Kohlstatt, you bike – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – happily through a gently rolling mosaic of mixed forest and meadows to the northernmost point of the round. Congratulations! The return trip starts with wonderful forest biking on the Zwischenmühl ridge. In Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel, you change into the meadow-rich Kleine Mühl valley. Along the valley slope and over hidden inland hills, it goes to Sarleinsbach. Final delicacies: three breathtaking intermediate river ridges and a summit assault to the high village of St. Stefan am Walde (805 m), on the Bohemian Forest roof!
Highlights:
- Northernmost point of the round
- Julbach - the Merano of the Mühlviertel
- Kleine Mühl, Große Mühl, and Steinerne Mühl (the rivers giving the Mühlviertel its name)
- High village St. Stefan am Walde (roof of the Bohemian Forest)
- Overnight stay: On the Bohemian Forest roof in the high village St. Stefan am Walde
From Kohlstatt, you cycle – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – happily through a gently rolling mosaic of mixed forest and meadows to the northernmost point of the round. Congratulations! The return trip starts with wonderful forest biking on the Zwischenmühl ridge. In Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel, you change into the meadow-rich Kleine Mühl valley. Along the valley slope and over hidden inland hills, it goes to Sarleinsbach. Final delicacies: three breathtaking intermediate river ridges and a summit assault to the high village St. Stefan am Walde (805 m), on the Bohemian Forest roof!
To start, you cycle in the tri-border area of Austria, Bavaria, and the Czech Republic from Kohlstatt – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – happily through a wonderful gently rolling mixed forest and meadow mosaic downhill to the "North Cape." At the Bräuerau 16 homestead, you have reached the northernmost point of this MTB round. Congratulations! The return trip begins on the forest-rich Zwischenmühl ridge, the ridge between Große Mühl and Kleine Mühl. Through shady coniferous forests with hidden clearings, you pedal relaxedly uphill. After crossing the Bohemian Forest golf park (watch out for flying golf balls!), wonderful mountain mixed forest biking and a short "trail" ascent before the highest point (728 m) delight. A short forest descent, and then you stand on a terrain saddle with a beautiful view: Bohemian Forest ridge, Kleine Mühl valley, ... Now the route changes into the meadow-rich Kleine Mühl valley. A steep asphalt road quickly leads down to Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel! Due to its south-facing basin location, the climate here is particularly mild, so fruit trees thrive very well despite the high northern location. Shortly you cycle proudly further on the valley slope, then enjoy flowing downhill fun on fast field paths into the meadow ground of the Kleine Mühl. Harmony in perfection! Sweaty, the route leads on the opposite valley slope over Niederkraml, a challenging forest ridge (610 m), and a short intermediate descent to the historic market town Peilstein in the Mühlviertel! Situated on a hill above the Kleine Mühl, its name is said to derive from a hunting ground where game was bled (= killed). A quick loop leads down into the valley, up again on the other valley side to Stierberg and back again. Follow wonderful ridge biking along the Kleine Mühl valley: lonely farm roads, quaint forest paths, idyllic meadow paths, magnificent views, ... Enjoyable cycling alternates with challenging ascents and fast descents! Highest point: In the mountain forest between Rampetzreit and Hennerbach (640 m). From Rutzersdorf, you climb a challenging rural double hill in the hinterland (highest point: Innerhötzendorf 580 m). A short recovery ride in a hidden forest valley and after a challenging steep ascent, you stand in the historic market town Sarleinsbach. Half-time – a perfect place to rest! Neat farmer bourgeois houses at the charming marketplace tell stories of prosperous local farmers with civic rights.
Now begins the fascination of "intermediate river ridge biking": crossing the ridges between the rivers Kleine Mühl, Große Mühl, and Steinerne Mühl! These rivers give the Mühlviertel its name. After a rapid descent into the Lichtenbach valley, the crossing of the first intermediate river ridge (4.5 km, 140 m ascent, 180 m descent) into the Kleine Mühl valley starts. The steep ascent leads over a farm road, then on a challenging forest track to Obernberg (600 m), the highest point. Congratulations! Beautiful views calm the pulse. Finally, you joyfully rush 3.2 km through beautiful farmland and with short counter ascents into the forest-rich Kleine Mühl valley. The route follows the river on the quiet country road.
In Hühnergeschrei, the crossing of the second intermediate river ridge (12.8 km, 330 m ascent, 290 m descent) into the Große Mühl valley starts. You cycle uphill over a ridgeline with a view. Short steep sections provide altitude; several terrain terraces provide lightness. Wonderful views combined with shady mixed forest paths, natural meadow paths, and lonely farm roads create a magnificent rural idyll high experience. Highest point: intersection below the spot height 685 (675 m). Congratulations! The 7.5 km long descent in the rhythm of the hills leads you – alternating between the rush of speed, flow feeling, and trail fun – down into the forest-rich Große Mühl valley. From the Schönberg mill, the route briefly follows the river on the quiet country road.
Soon begins the crossing of the third intermediate river ridge (7.7 km, 303 m ascent, 260 m descent) into the Steinerne Mühl valley. After a rural ridge with a traditional hop garden in Marbach, a trail-like forest descent with a challenging forest ascent awaits. Shortly after the Hollerberger homestead, a quick descent to the Fleckbach provides welcome regeneration. Now, it’s time to push again: initially on a steep farm road, finally steep direttissima over the meadow to the Denkmalhof Unterkagerer, a jewel of rural cultural heritage. On the farm road just above, you stand with a high pulse but a beautiful distant view at the highest point (660 m). Congratulations! The 3.2 km long descent with a short counter ascent leads flowingly down into the forest-rich Steinerne Mühl valley. You leisurely follow the meanders of the hidden river on natural riding paths.
At the Zaglmühle, the final summit assault to the Bohemian Forest roof (350 meters altitude difference) begins. You pedal steeply up: initially on an asphalt settlement access road, later over natural meadow paths and finally on a very challenging forest path. After the houses of Haummer, it – thankfully – becomes more relaxed. The panorama opens. Now, sublime high-altitude cycling at its finest delights. On a gently ascending farm road, you reach the highest point (860 m) shortly before St. Stefan. Congratulations! A short descent and you have reached the high village St. Stefan am Walde (805 m).
Paths covering:
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
Public Transit
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Please get in touch for more information.
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz
Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
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1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.
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Construction-related measures or other influences (e.g. landslides and similar occurrences) can lead to temporary or permanent changes in a route (e.g. loss of a bridge and similar occurrences). Such occurrences can lead to part of the route or the entire route becoming impassable.
The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.
2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.
The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.
The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.
3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.
We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.
4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:
Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.
a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.
b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.
c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).
It is obligatory to provide first aid!
d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!
Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.
e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.
f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.
g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!
h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!
i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.
5.We assume no liability for the contents of external websites; in particular, we assume no liability for their statements and contents. Moreover, we have no influence on the design or contents of the websites to which hyperlinks on www.muehlviertel.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.muehlviertel.at. There is no on-going review of websites to which hyperlinks on www.muehlviertel.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.muehlviertel.at. We do not appropriate the contents of websites to which hyperlinks on www.muehlviertel.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.muehlviertel.at.
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4. We are not responsible for the contents of external websites; in particular, we do not assume any liability for their statements or contents. Furthermore, we do not influence the design or contents of websites that can be accessed from www.muehlviertel.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.muehlviertel.at. The websites that can be accessed from www.muehlviertel.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.muehlviertel.at are not regularly monitored. Furthermore, we do not assume any claims to the websites that can be accessed from www.muehlviertel.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.muehlviertel.at.
Altitude profile - Grande Granite Round: Stage 2
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